Theli

Just as the topic says... why sex?

Sarpedon

Sex seems only to be taboo in monotheistic cultures.
My theory is that, because sex is an act of creation (reproduction) it falls under the juristiction of the all powerful god. So becomes an act which is in a way sacred.
In polytheistic cultures, there is no problem with mortals preforming acts of creation, so sex is not so taboo.
In monotheistic cultures, since only GOD can create, the sex act, and specifically the semen, are imagined to be somehow empowered with the almighty essence. This explains why not only sex is taboo, but also masturbation, homosexuality, etc. To waste the semen is to squander the essence of god.

AquaVita

I think it goes much deeper then blaming it on religion. Even the most Non-religious people can get all stuttery and simpering when they start talking about sex, or get in a sexual situation.

Of course religion can play a big factor, it's just that I don't think it's the primary reason for the sexual taboo. I have always wondered why many otherwise rational and logical people lose all semblance of those characteristics when you throw sex into any formula.

I think that may be another reason religion focuses so much on sex. Maybe to make some sense out of it? And if you can make sense(or get people to believe that you are making sense) it becomes easier to control. Just my theory anyway.

Godless Dave

The emotions we feel about sex are powerful, enough so that they can seriously impair our judgement. I think taboos related to sex were motivated by an attempt to control those feelings and by the fear of losing that control.

Also, before modern medicine pregnancy was dangerous and downright deadly to many women. Even when childbirth didn't kill the mother it resulted in another mouth to feed, so societies had a motiviation to develop strict controls over when pregnancy should occur.

Selsaral

Also notice how property and heredity are closely connected to sex through marraige. If you really care about whether your children are actually yours, you will care about who your wife has had sex with. Social taboos that forbid sex before marraige neatly enforce this.

Also, many societies have traditionally connected wealth with marraige, through dowries and marrying for position (such as in the middle ages in Europe). Taboos that control who can marry who neatly enforce this. When stacked on top of the taboos that control heredity (forcing sex to equal marraige), taboos that control sex can also control the flow of wealth and power.

Theli

Ok, I've gotten some good suggestions here.
One about the religious meaning of sex as an act of creation, one that approaches the emotions involved, and one from a strict social viewpoint.
However, I see some problems...


Sarpedon:
Then why is it shun opun, if it's sacred? It should be the oposite.


Godless Dave:
But, that suggests that sex is harmfull in general, and it doesn't explain why someone can't say "dick" on MTV. I think you were more refering to the desire involved, that may limit our reasoning capabilities (reducing us to animals) wich ofcourse might have something to do with it.

However we see it, it seems that the taboo for sex we have today (that's deteriorating) is leftovers from past ideals and serves no direct purpose in itself.

And on another note, why are swearwords considered immoral?

The AntiChris

Fuck knows.

philechat

I guess there are issues of power involved with certain words. Perhaps male animals confronted each other aggresively with sexual displays? So people would regard swearwords as aggressive acts by instinct.

Theli

...and not very social.
Although, other (more obvious) signs of hostility are less frown upon.
I hate to go bashing religion again, but pretty much all swearwords either appeals to blasphemy or sex.
Something demeaning, perhaps?

What I still don't understand is why sex is considered something you should keep to yourself, not talk too much about it.

the_cave

I'd say for all the reasons mentioned above. Because sex is often closely connected with our feelings, and hence is often a difficult issue to resolve, protecting the language of sex is a way of protecting our own feelings and identities. In my opinion, anyway.